Uruguay makes its international flag football debut at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 when the nation’s U17 boys enter a four-team round robin tournament at the Emilio Royo Stadium in Panama City.

Head coach Joaquin Alarcon, who also coaches the Uruguayan women’s national team, the Charruas, and a club team in the Barbaras league, leads his charges against Argentina, Brazil and Panama.

“Since this is our first time participating in such an important game, we hope to represent Uruguay in the best way possible,” said Alarcon. “Our preparation has been based on providing the athletes with the best tools, both technical, physical, and mental, so that they can develop properly in an event of this magnitude.”

Uruguay’s preparations will be put to the test immediately when they face Argentina in the opening game of the competition at 8am on Friday, April 17. They then take on host Panama at 1pm and Brazil at 3.30pm. The teams will meet again in the double round robin on Saturday to decide the order of Sunday’s semifinals.

During the buildup to the ODESUR games, Uruguay’s youngsters have played against club teams and the senior national team and held multiple practices and gym sessions. Heading into the games, coach Alarcon believes Juan Machado, Mati Claverol Melgar, Mateo Basigani, Bruno Nuñez, and Matias Salinas will be players to watch in Panama.

“Flag football now being an Olympic sport is a great step for developing flag football worldwide,” he said. “Particularly in Uruguay it is growing exponentially based on the creation of more teams and with the growth of the league itself.”